It is not on a regular basis to talk about your continence problems but it is important to look for the advice of a doctor, as there is help and support available.

Although incontinence may be common for MS sufferers, however, having MS does not necessarily mean that your MS is responsible for your incontinence. There are several other possible causes of your “discomfort” as well as it can be a collateral damage of another MS symptom or it may not be related to MS at all.

The dysfunction called “neuropathic’ or ‘neurogenic’ occurs if a bladder or bowel problem is generated by nerve damage resulted from MS. In translation, the nerves responsible for the functionality of your bladder and bowel no longer function normally.

When developed as a secondary symptom, incontinence can be caused by another symptom and not directly by MS nerve damage. These symptoms can include:

• Getting to the toilet in time - MS causes movement problems. A visit to an occupational therapist is highly recommended.
• Restricted physical activity can often lead to constipation and poor muscle tone which can then lead to bladder and bowel problems. A physiotherapist would set an exercise program which could help to alleviate problems.

These issues may seem overwhelming as well as embarrassing. But, there is hope.

Forms of Bladder Control Problems in MS cases
People who suffer from MS are most likely to experience the following bladder control problems:

• Incontinence. MS may cause disruption in the nervous signals through the body parts responsible with the urinal flow, allowing urine to come out unwillingly.
• Nocturia. People with nocturia must wake up frequently at night to urinate due to dysfunctional brain impulses that travel along the spine to coordinate urination.
• Urinary hesitancy. This may be generated by interruption of brain impulses that control that part of the urination process.
• Urinary urgency (the need to urinate frequently and urgently). The small "tickle" and feeling of pressure that help us recognize the right time to head to the restroom is very intense. The coordinative signals for urination suffer disruptions and you experience the urge to urinate, which may also cause incontinence.

Treatment for Urinary Control Problems in Multiple Sclerosis
For MS cases, treatment of urinary control problems is individualized.  Most likely, an urologist will be involved in your care. Here are a few frequent recommendations:
1. Medications
2. Mechanical aids to help control the urinal flow
3. Intermittent or continual catheterization
4. Dietary changes to minimize incontinence such as:
• Reduction of the amount of fluids you drink if you exceed 2 quarts (1.89 L) per day
• Reduction or even elimination of caffeine-containing drinks (coffee, tea, soda) from your diet
• Consuming no more than one alcoholic drink a day
5. Behavioral changes: Bladder training, used in treating motor urge incontinence, helps you increase your interval between urinations. A voiding schedule is established, and the person is trained to fight the first impulse to urinate and hold on until the established time. The interval between scheduled urination is gradually increased until the person is able to refrain from urinating for several hours.